Syringe Adapter Disconnection Feedback Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Healthcare providers face risks of exposure to hazardous chemotherapy drugs during reconstitution, transportation, and administration due to unintentional release of these drugs into the atmosphere, highlighting the need for a leak-proof system for fluid transfer.
Innovation Solution
A syringe adapter system with a housing, cannula, and collet that includes a disconnection feedback mechanism to ensure secure sealing and prevent leakage during fluid transfer between containers, featuring a movable collet with a locking member and a biasing mechanism to maintain a sealed connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a needle is used to transfer solvent from one container to a sealed vial, then fluid transfer can be achieved, but unintentional release of drugs into the atmosphere may occur during needle withdrawal and while inside the vial due to pressure differential
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fluid transfer process into sealed segments: a sealed vial, a connected adapter, and a syringe. The adapter acts as an intermediate sealed chamber that receives the vial cap and connects to the syringe, ensuring that at no point is the hazardous drug exposed to the atmosphere during transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed with nested components including a collet that receives the vial cap, a cannula that extends through the adapter body, and a seal member that interfaces between the vial cap and adapter. These nested structures create multiple sealing interfaces that prevent drug release throughout the transfer process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a locking mechanism is used to secure the collet in the engaged position, then connection stability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The disconnection feedback mechanism provides tactile feedback to the user through the plunger button. When the collet is properly engaged with the vial cap, the spring maintains the button in a specific position, giving the user confirmation of proper connection without requiring visual inspection or additional indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded feedback mechanism automatically indicates connection status based on the mechanical state of the collet engagement. The system self-monitors its own connection state and provides feedback without requiring external sensors or complex electronic systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides substantially leak-proof sealing during fluid transfer, preventing both air and liquid leakage, thus reducing the risk of exposure to hazardous drugs and ensuring safe handling and administration.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing member may be a spring. The biasing member may be configured to engage a portion of the collet when the collet is moved from the first position to the second position thereby compressing the biasing member and biasing the collet toward the second end of the housing.
Data Source
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AI summary
A syringe adapter includes a housing having a first end and a second end with the first end configured to be secured to a first container, a cannula having a first end and a second end with the second end positioned within the housing, and a collet having a first end and a second end with at least a portion of the collet received within the housing. The collet includes a body defining a passageway, a seal member received by the passageway, and an arcuate, resilient locking member connected to the body of the collet. The collet is movable from a first position where the locking member is open to receive a mating connector to a second position where radially outward movement of the locking member is restricted.